'Paycheck Protection,' District Spending Cap Measures Defeated

In a race with implications for teachers' unions and other labor
organizations nationwide, the "paycheck protection" measure,
Proposition 226, died by 54 percent to 46 percent after enjoying a 3-1
lead in the polls earlier this spring. The measure would have required
that unions obtain annual, written permission from individual members
before using their fees on political activity. The state's powerful
teachers' unions were seen as major targets of the proposal, which
pitted unions against business interests and conservative foes of the
mostly pro-Democratic political activism of organized labor. ("Unions Rally Membership To Save PACs," May
13, 1998.)

"This was the biggest win for organized labor in decades," said Kenneth
C. Burt, the political director of the 50,000-member California
Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the American Federation of
Teachers. "This was designed to take out teachers in particular from
the political arena."

On another front, in a vote that is being hailed particularly by
small school districts across the state, voters also gave a thumbs-down
to Proposition 223. The so-called 95/5 measure would have capped
districts' administrative spending at 5 percent of their budgets. The
remaining 95 percent of district budgets would have been earmarked for
classroom services, such as teacher salaries and instructional
material. United Teachers Los Angeles, whose members can be affiliated
with either the National Education Association or the American
Federation of Teachers, crafted the proposal. ("Classroom-Spending Vote Has Educators
Split," May 20, 1998.)

Small districts argued that they lack the economies of scale to limit
administrative spending to 5 percent. Most districts in the state
currently exceed that ratio.

"Passage would have been a tragedy and a far cry from education
efficiency," said John D'Amelio, the president of the California School
Boards Association in Sacramento. "Our small school districts would
have been hardest hit."

Opponents of that measure also fought an uphill battle. Just three
months ago, 31 percent of likely voters surveyed said that they opposed
the proposition, vs. 50 percent who favored it.

Nominees on Education

A tight race for state schools chief forced a November run off for
the office. Winning 43 percent of votes cast in the nonpartisan primary
for state superintendent of public instruction, incumbent Delaine
Eastin fell short of the majority she needed to avoid a run off. Her
opponent in November will be Santa Ana 1st grade teacher Gloria Matta
Tuchman, who captured 26 percent of the primary vote. Ms. Tuchman is
well-known in the state for her long-running opposition to traditional
bilingual education programs.

Meanwhile, in the Golden State's gubernatorial primary, voters
picked Lt. Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat and career politician, to square
off in November against state Attorney General Daniel E. Lungren, a
Republican and former U.S. congressman from Long Beach, Calif.

On education issues, Mr. Davis wants parents to sign contracts with
their children's schools to commit them to helping with homework. Mr.
Lungren, who faced no serious GOP challenger, has pledged to back state
academic standards and the ongoing push--championed by retiring
Republican Gov. Pete Wilson--to lower classroom sizes in the early
grades.

In what many saw as a vote against big money, Mr. Davis spent about
$9 million to win a primary victory with 58 percent of the votes cast
for Democrats. In comparison, his closest challenger, airline tycoon Al
Checci, spent about $30 million in capturing 21 percent of her
primary's votes. Democratic U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, who also outspent
Mr. Davis, finished third among the Democrats, with 20 percent of
votes.

Gov. Wilson is barred by law from seeking a third term. About 38
percent of the state's 14.6 million registered voters cast ballots on
Tuesday.

California was one of five states to hold gubernatorial primaries
June 2. In one of those, Alabama, the incumbent Republican--who is
well-known for his steadfast support of school prayer--failed to muster
the 50 percent of the vote necessary to win his party's five-way
gubernatorial primary.

Alabama Gov. Fob James Jr. won 48 percent of the Republican vote,
while challenger Winton Blount, a businessman from Montgomery, captured
41 percent. Many of the remaining votes were cast for former Gov. Guy
Hunt, who entered the race late. Mr. James and Mr. Blount will meet
again in a June 30 runoff.

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